Strawberry plant named &#39;NABILA&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Fragaria×ananassa  Duch. named ‘NABILA’, characterized by the description herein.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES CLAIMED

Fragaria×ananassa Duch.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘NABILA’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct strawberry variety named ‘NABILA’, which was the result of a controlled cross between the strawberry variety ‘VENTANA’ (Patented, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,469) and a not released selection of Consorzio Italiano Vivaisti named Q6Q8-26.

The progeny was first asexually propagated by stolons in S. Giuseppe di Comacchio Ferrara, Italy, in 2004.

The ‘NABILA’ variety was tested over the next several years in different European areas with Mediterranean climates and in other low-chill regions. The tests ran from 2005 to 2010.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Strawberry variety ‘NABILA’ can be distinguished from plants of the Strawberry variety ‘SIBA’ by the following unique combination of characteristics described in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Comparison with Comparison Variety Denomination Characteristic in State of State of of similar which the similar expression of expression of variety variety is different similar variety candidate variety Siba Time of ripening Early Very Early Plant Vigour Strong Medium

Asexual reproduction of this new variety by stolons shows that the foregoing and all other characteristics and distinctions come true to form and are established and transmitted through succeeding propagations. The new variety reproduces true to type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Strawberry ‘NABILA’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘NABILA’.

FIG. 1 shows the plant of ‘NABILA’;

FIG. 2 shows the leaves of ‘NABILA’;

FIG. 3 shows the flowers of ‘NABILA’; and

FIG. 4 shows the fruits of ‘NABILA’.

The colors of this illustration may vary with lighting conditions and, therefore, color characteristics of this new variety should be determined with reference to the observations described herein, rather than from these illustrations alone.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the ‘NABILA’ variety, unless otherwise noted, is based on observations taken of plants and fruits, and asexually reproduced progeny, grown at Battipaglia in the South of Italy.

The observed plants were one year old plants, produced in a nursery in Poland in 2009, then planted as fresh plants in Battipaglia, Italy in September 2009.

Certain characteristics of this variety may change with changing environmental conditions (e.g., light, temperature, moisture, etc.), nutrient availability, or other factors. Quantified measurements are expressed as an average of measurements taken from a number of individual plants of the new variety. The measurements of any individual plant, or any group of plants, of the new variety may vary from the stated average. Color descriptions and other terminology are used in accordance with their ordinary dictionary descriptions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Color designations are made with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.) Color Chart.

-   Plant:     -   -   Habit.—Upright.         -   Density.—Medium.         -   Vigor.—Medium.         -   Overall shape.—Globose.         -   Height.—0.29 meters.         -   Width.—0.30 meters. -   Leaf:     -   -   Upperside.—RHS 137A green group; underside: RHS 137C green             group.         -   Length.—0.14 meters.         -   Width.—0.16 meters.         -   Cross section.—strongly concave to slightly concave.         -   Leaf surface ondulation or blistering.—Medium.         -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Leaf stem characteristics.—Color RHS 144C yellow-green             group. Position of hairs: strongly outwards. Length: About             19 cm.         -   Terminal leaflet.—Length/width ratio: as long as broad.             Length: About 9 cm. Width: About 8.5 cm. Shape of base:             Obtuse. Shape of teeth: Crenate.         -   Petiole.—Position of hairs: Strongly outwards. Length: About             19 cm.         -   Stipule.—Color RHS 145B yellow-green group; Anthocyanin             coloration: weak; Color RHS 52A red group.         -   Stolons.—Number about 12-16. Thickness: Medium, about 3 mm.             Pubescence: Medium. Color RHS 144B, yellow-green. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Position relative to foliage.—at same level.         -   Length.—About 25 cm.         -   Flower.—Size. Large. Size of calyx relative to corolla: Same             size. Spacing of petals. Overlapping.         -   Flower characteristics.—Diameter primary flowers. About             3.6 cm. Diameter secondary flowers. About 2.8 cm. Number of             petals: Normally about 5. Fragrance: No significant             fragrance. Time from bloom to mature fruit: About 29 to 32             days. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Numerous with pollen present, fertile and abundant.             Length: approximately 3.1 mm. Color: RHS 157B, green-white.         -   Anthers.—Generally average in size. Color: RHS 14B             yellow-orange; darkening with advanced maturity.         -   Pollen.—Fertile and abundant. Color: RHS 17C yellow-orange.         -   Pistils.—Numerous, generally average in size. Color: RHS             151C yellow-green.         -   Petal.—Length/width ratio: broader than long. -   Fruit:     -   -   Fruit truss.—Attitude: Semi-erect.         -   Ratio of length/maximum width.—much longer than broad.         -   Color of mature fruit.—RHS 45A red.         -   Color of internal fruit.—RHS 41A red, RHS 29A orange, and             RHS 159C orange-white.         -   Length.—58 mm.         -   Width.—47 mm.         -   Calyx diameter.—51 mm.         -   Average weight.—30 grams.         -   Achene color.—RHS 151 A yellow green.         -   Number of achenes per berry.—950-1050.         -   Achene size.—length about 1.4 mm, width about 0.9 mm.         -   Weight of 1000 achenes.—0.50 grams.         -   Peduncle length of inflorescence stem.—Primary fruit about 9             cm, secondary fruit about 6 cm, color RHS 144 C yellow             green.         -   Marketable yield (gm/plant).—about 850-900 grams.         -   Fruit size.—large.         -   Predominant shape.—conical.         -   Difference in shapes between primary and secondary             fruit.—none to very slight.         -   Band without achenes.—absent to very narrow.         -   Unevenness of surface.—absent to slightly weak.         -   Evenness of color.—even.         -   Glossiness.—medium.         -   Insertion of achenes.—below surface.         -   Insertion of calyx.—level with fruit.         -   Attitude of the calyx.—spreading.         -   Size of calyx in relation to fruit diameter.—same size.         -   Adherence of calyx.—strong.         -   Firmness of flesh.—firm.         -   Hollow center expression.—weakly expressed.         -   Flavor.—very good.         -   Soluble solids (% brix).—7.         -   Time of first flowering.—early, from first week of February             in Battipaglia, Italy.         -   Time of first harvesting.—very early, from first week of             March in Battipaglia, Italy.         -   Harvest period.—about three months from first week of March             to last week of May in Battipaglia, Italy.         -   Type of bearing.—not remontant. -   Disease resistance: The ‘NABILA’ variety has been tested for several     years and it has manifest a good rusticity plant, quite resistant to     leaf and root diseases. With a robust and efficient root system, the     plant adapts well to tired soils and generally does not require soil     disinfection. Due to its hardiness and vigor, it is well-suited to     replanting methods and requires a reduced amount of fertilizers. 

1. A new and distinct variety of Fragaria×ananassa Duch. named ‘NABILA’, as illustrated and described herein. 